THE use of Shannon Airport is “among the most tangible benefits” of positive US-Ireland relations, according to a document released through Wikileaks.
The cable, which was prepared at the US embassy in Dublin in 2006, also indicated concern that the use of Shannon could become more difficult in the lead in to the following year’s general election. It shows that the US considered taking a civil case against the ‘Shannon Five’, a group of protestors who were acquitted despite having admitted to damaging a US navy plane.
In an action request, the cable, which questioned if the use of the airport would remain prudent. “(The) embassy will diplomatically pursue the most workable arrangements possible with Irish officials but we would appreciate Washington’s judgement as to whether the process of notification of almost everything of a military nature (including by contract carriers) through Shannon is becoming too difficult to make the airport a preferred transit stop.”
With regard to the Shannon Five, it sought advice from Washington.
“Guidance is also requested regarding the Shannon Five decision, an outcome that DFA political director Montgomery described as ‘bizarre’ and presumably not precedential. Our understanding is that the case, as a criminal matter, has run its course, as there is no possibility to appeal a jury decision under Irish law. There may be an option to pursue the case as a civil matter, and Post would need authorisation and funding to contact local attorneys about this possibility. Another option would be to present an itemised bill for aircraft damages to the Irish Government, either to seek compensation outright or, at least, to convey USG dissatisfaction with the Shannon Five verdict.”
In an earlier section of the document, it acknowledged that the Irish Government had been helpful. “The Irish Government consistently has acted to ensure continued US military transits at Shannon in the face of public criticism. Since the Shannon five decision, for example, Irish authorities have upgraded airport security, doubling the number of police and military personnel patrolling the facility and introducing rigorous checks at the parking lot and perimeter fence. The upgrade is also partly a response to possible Islamic extremist threats.
“Moreover, despite a general government reluctance to challenge independent court decisions, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and governing Fianna Fáil party politicians have publicly questioned the legal merits of the Shannon Five jury decision. These public statements track with representations to the Irish parliament by government ministers over recent years and months in defence of US practices at Shannon, including by Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, who cited US assurances on renditions this past year to rebuff calls for random aircraft checks.”
The embassy was also concerned that the use of Shannon had the potential to become an issue in the run-up to the 2007 General Election.
“The Irish public’s overwhelming opposition to Israeli military actions in Lebanon has exacerbated the governing Fianna Fáil party’s sensitivity to public criticism ahead of Ireland’s May 2007 general election. The major opposition party, Fine Gael, supports continued US military use of Shannon but the Labour Party and the Green Party, Fine Gael’s opposition partners, favour a review, if not reversal, of Irish policy on US transits. Against this political backdrop, US missteps at Shannon could easily become campaign grist, a Fianna Fáil concern that mid-level DFA officials have cited in informal discussions.”

Shannon Five protestor proud of aircraft action

IT has been nearly eight years since a group of young anti-war activists made global headlines after causing almost €2 million of damage to an American navy aircraft at Shannon.
Indeed, it’s more than five years since the protestors, who freely admitted attacking the planes but claimed it was necessary to protect lives in Iraq; were acquitted of causing damage without lawful excuse.
Last week’s Wikileaks document showed what the American embassy thought of the attacks but speaking to The Clare Champion on Tuesday, protestor Deirdre Clancy said she is still proud of what she did.
“Events subsequently proved it was right and I would make no apology. A jury of 12 people agreed with it. What came out from Wikileaks shows that a government minister (Willie O’Dea) was questioning the judicial process. I was trying to uphold international law, the arms that were used in Iraq were illegal under international law and that was brought home by the videos shown on Wikileaks, which have shown civilians being killed. I’m very proud of the action I took.”
She said she hasn’t gone to the US since the incident and believes that she would be deported if she attempted to do so.
Ms Clancy claimed that there was little of surprise to her in what came out of Wikileaks. “We knew that the American Embassy were displeased with the decision of the jury so it’s no great surprise that they were saying it in cables.”
She said that she believes that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is being persecuted and that it is important whistleblowers are protected. “If we had more of them in this country over the last 10 or 15 years we wouldn’t be in the state we are now.”
Ms Clancy is the only one of the so-called Shannon Five still in Ireland and said that while she still supports the anti-war agenda she isn’t as involved in protests now.
“In my own case, I have had a few bereavements over the last few years, including the death of my mother two years ago and my own involvement has been pretty marginal.”